Tech freshman guard likely out for 2012-13

THE FLATS -- Corey Heyward, a 2011 all-state guard from Duluth, Ga., who signed with Georgia Tech in the spring, has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and likely will miss the 2012-13 season, head coach Brian Gregory said Monday.

Heyward, who spent the 2011-12 academic year at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, suffered the injury in a pickup game Thursday. He will undergo surgery within the next two weeks, followed by a lengthy rehabilitation period. Heyward enrolled for the early summer term at Tech in late May and has been participating in strength and conditioning workouts and individual instruction.

"In the short time that Corey has been a member of our team, he has made a positive impact on our program," said Gregory, entering his second season as the Yellow Jackets' head coach. "His work ethic has produced positive results both in the classroom and on the court. We feel terrible about his injury, but it's a temporary setback and we'll be with him every step of the way back."

The 6-1, 195-pound Heyward was named first-team all-state in class AAAAA by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and also was named Region 7 Player of the Year, following a 2010-11 season in which he averaged 16.6 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game for Peachtree Ridge High School. At Hargrave, Heyward averaged 11 points, six rebounds and six assists, helping the Tigers to a 38-1 record and the championship game of the national prep school championship.